Disabled Zimbabwe musicians perform at Cedar Knolls school

Prudence Mabhena, the lead singer of the Afro-fusion band Liyana, glowed as she sang during her maiden U.S concert tour. The wheelchair that served as her legs and, to a certain extent, her arms, seemed of little consequence.

The story was the same for the master-of-ceremonies, 10-year-old Manny, who introduced the celebrated musicians from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, at the P.G. Chambers School in Cedar Knolls. The motorized "stander" that supported him to read his script might as well have been invisible.

Today, at least, Mabhena's wish -- and those of her seven fellow disabled musicians -- came true. "Disability does not mean inability," she said.

The journey from Zimbabwe, a poverty-stricken nation where children born with disabilities are often shunned, to America, where the term "handicapped accessible" is part of the lexicon, reached a high note today as the musicians played at a school whose mission is "discovering potential."

Not unlike the "Never Give Up" motto at the King George VI School in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, where in 2003 the disabled musicians -- now ages 17 to 23 -- got their start, eventually winning a competition that took them to Europe and opening doors to a U.S.A. tour wrapping up Monday at NJPAC in Newark.

Robert Sciarrino/The Star-LedgerTyler, a student at the P.G. Chambers School in Cedar Knolls applauds the band, Liyana, who perform in concert for students. The P.G. Chambers School is a school for children with disabilities. Liyana, an Afro-fusion band of eight disabled musicians. The concert is part of Liyana's first American tour.

"I'm so touched," said Mabhena, who is without legs below the knee and has limited use of her arms as the result of a rare congenital disorder.

The concert, sponsored by the P.G. Family Foundation and the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, brought together hundreds of students striving to discover their own potential, clapping, swaying, even dancing to a mix of gospel, reggae and traditional Zimbabwean Shona music.

"This is awesome," Manny, who has cerebral palsy, said of the band as he slipped into his role. "Here at P.G. Chambers School, it's a full house," he said.

"It's the emcee talk," said Patricia Murphy-Fyfe, a class aide who lives in Parsippany.

Robert Sciarrino/The Star-LedgerTapiwa Nyengera along with other members from the band, Liyana, perform in concert for students at the P.G. Chambers School in Cedar Knolls. a school for children with disabilities. Liyana, an Afro-fusion band of eight disabled musicians. The concert is part of Liyana's first American tour.

Seated close by was Leslie Goldwasser, who grew up in Zimbabwe and on a return visit "discovered" Liyana and helped launch an America tour that begin Jan. 2 on the West Coast.

"I think of all the concerts, this was the most special," Goldwasser said. "To see these kids react ... it really moves you. It's very special."

The band's music, described as a fresh, bright sound led by a singer with the "voice of an angel," seemed to overcome their mostly congenital impairments, ranging from spina bifida to cerebral palsy to the amputation of a leg as a result of a snake bite.

Back in Zimbabwe, the now 21-year-old Mabhena said, having a child with a handicap could be traumatic in a country with one of the world's lowest life expectancies and highest rates of illiteracy.

"When a child is born, people celebrate. When a child with a disability is born, there is a lot of mourning, a lot of shouting," she said. "They did not accept me as a child. I wasn't a part of the family. Some of the people would even think I'm bewitched. That's what happens in Africa.

"It's tough for a family to stay together and be in love. It becomes so hard."

Today, Tapiwa Nyengera, the 21-year-old who sings backup, plays the keyboard and is the band's front man, all from a wheelchair, said he was inspired by today's get-together.

"I'm seeing nothing else but love. I'd like these guys to cherish this moment," he said.

Nyengera, who has spina bifida, said he didn't feel like he has a disability.